Fabulous weekend at Art from the Heart Headquarters...

What a great time we had…

I'm sat in bed with a beer whilst posting this and recovering from a packed mixed media weekend. I was too busy to take photos of the classes, but managed to remember to round up everyone for a final finish.

Still managed to miss 4 people out though, not quite sure how lol

People come to the weekends from far and wide, we had visitors from, Southampton, Birmingham, Scotland, London and also Norway. Yes 3 people came all the way from Norway.
Heres the lovely Wibeke and Nina.

And this is the lovely Siv who was on her second visit to us here in the UK

Siv spent last night doing her homework with the aid of the local waters.!!

And most of the day looking like this, lol

And the fabulous double act Yvonne and Jennifer provided us with much needed light relief, especially when we discovered that Yvonne was a Magnum virgin !!! Not any more, we soon sorted that out with ice creams all round!!

We all made a mahoosive 2 inch thick book, full of mixed media techniques, interspersed with patterned paper.

I don't half make them work.!!

We used
Dylusions inks
Dina Wakely paints and mediums
Amsterdam paints
Dylusions spray ink pad
Adirondack Dabbers
Tim Holtz Distress paint
Distress stains
Artbars
Inktense blocks
Gelatos
Pan Pastels
Portfolio oil pastels
Wendy Vecchi studio 490 embossing pastes
and others I have no doubt forgotten about.!!

The book has 138 pages in total.!! Can't wait to see them as they are being filled with tons of arty goodness.

I started the weekend with no voice after having laryngitis for the last week, but amazingly it held up. I'm not holding out much hope for tomorrow and if anyone needs me I will be in my blanket fort colouring in!

Ooooh btw look out tomorrow for the update of the nun and the Irishman ……

Enjoy xx

Ooooooh you've got to be quick round here haven't you..??

Yup thats right…you snooze you lose..!!! Sorry about that.

Mind you a little birdie told me that I might be releasing something equally as fabulous in the next few days.
And it includes me, the Von Trapp family, a Nun and a cheery irishman.

Ponder on that one for a wee while…..

Enjoy xx

The Bad , the Good and the Ugly….

THE BAD………

Many of you know the struggle I have at times with my mental issues, and the last few weeks have been just that…a struggle.
My own fault really, I became blase and thought I had everything under control. I ignored the signs and triggers and came down with a bang, leaving a trail of destruction in my path. It hasn't been a bed of roses for anyone but I am slowly picking up the pieces and gluing them back together.
Fabulous family, fabulous friends and fabulous doctors are helping me back.
Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, and neither is talking about it. I have ADHD and rapid cycling Bi polar, which can make me very hyper active and obsessive, leading to extreme manic episodes. My inner circuit board is not the same as others, but it is also responsible for my creativity. I wouldn't have one without the other.!!
For all of you out there suffering from mental illness, or those of you suffering from the fall out, please understand you are not on your own. Lets talk about it, lets free ourselves from the stigma and lets celebrate our uniqueness and run with it. Mwah to you all xx


THE GOOD……….

Whoop whoop, some of you may have already heard but the most gorgeously wonderful Dina Wakely and I are having a weekend retreat, in Winter, in …… wait for it …….. Florida…organised by the fabulous Everything Scrapbook and Stamps.

What is it?

• Exclusive mixed-media art journaling event hosted by Everything Scrapbook and Stamps.
• Two wacky teachers (ahem, me and her!!).
• All supplies included, plus some goodies we designed just for this event.
• Wonderful retreat location.
• Classes, inspiration, food, fun...
• Visit the website to reserve your spot!

Only 8 spots left apparently…so go go GOOOOOOOOOOO. Hopefully see you there.

THE UGLY………….(well not really ugly, just not quite polished lol)

Of all the beautiful pictures of me flying around the web, lol… the lovely Dina decides to use this one of me to promote the above.!!! How rude I say How ruuuude.

You would never see me doing something like that to a good friend, would you ?

Enjoy xx